Shovel.



No. 821,847. PATBNTED MAY 29, 1906.

L. ARNAVAT.

SHOVEL.

` APPLICATION FILED DBO. 2.7, 1906.

" NIT-E-D Luis finan-itlidar?,on fr j/EL.

'sl-io aMrA. nonna f No. 821,847. speeinationf Letters Patent. i `latented. May 29,1906.

Application filed December Z'i, 1905. Serial No. 293,515.

Beit known that I, LUIs ARNAVAT,v a citizen of the United States, residing in Tampa, in the county of Hillsboro and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shovels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to digging implements of various kinds, and more particularly to shovels and spades.

One of the objects of the invention is to providev an improved form of such device whereby in the use of the foot to force the blade or digging portion into the ground the foot can be placed at the middle portion of the top or upper part of the blade in order that a direct pressure be applied along the middle longitudinal line of the blade instead of an oblique pressure, if the foot were applied near one of the upper side edges.

Another object of the invention is to provide in such a device an improved form of handle that will extend around each side of the top middle portion of the blade and in cooperation therewith an extension of the blade portion to strengthen the fastening of the handle and blade.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a form of shovel embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a middle longitudinal section through the lower portion of the shovel. Fig. 3 shows detached the two securing portions of theblade, and Fig. 4 shows the lower attaching portion of the handle.

In the present instance the shovel-blade 5 is shown as having a pointed or angular extremity 6; but the invention is equally applicable to a blade having a square digging end or one rounded off instead of pointed. The lower engaging portion of the handle 7 is made bifurcated, of asubstanti ally U-shaped form, having the arms 8 and 9 preferably integral with the shank 7 and somewhat beveled or wedge-shaped at their extremities. At the upper portion of the blade on each face is suitably secured a substantially U- shaped piece 10 and 11, leach of which is provided with a projection 12 and 13, respectively, at its upper middle portion. These pieces 10 and 11 are preferably formed out of thin or sheet metal and are welded or otherwise secured to the shovel-blade; but, if desired, they may be made integral therewith. These fastening pieces have their edges rounded or bent toward each other, so that when closed upon the 4arms 8 and 9 of the lhandle they will substantially envelop the same, while the projections 12 Aand 13 will engage with the end of the handle-shank ad- 6o -jacent the U-shaped portion. Upon being bent onto and around the forked portion of the handle the pieces are secured thereto by suitable means, such as bolts or rivets passing through the forked portion of the handle and. also through the projections 12 and 13, clamping the members together. From this it will be seen that there is a suitable opening formed immediately above the top edge of lthe blade at its middle portion,l into which 7o the foot can be inserted to force the blade into the ground. At this portion the blade is shown as provided with a projection or lip 14, which will give the shoe a better purchase on the blade and prevent undue wear on the 7 5 shoe and on the blade, which would result if the shoe engaged only the thin edge of the blade. This lip 14 preferably projects toward the front of the shovel only, leaving the back of the shovel iiush at this edge.

It will be further observed that the top portion or wall of this opening presents a substantially smooth and uniformly-rounded wall that may be very conveniently used to insert the hand and grasp the implement at 8 5 this place to raise a large shovelful of soil or other matter. The shank portion 7 of the handle is shown as comparatively straight; but obviously this may be bent or curved to give the blade any desired inclination with rlation to the general line or axis of the han- Having thus describedlmy invention, what l. In an implement of the character described, the combination of a blade, a pair of U-shaped parts secured one on each side of the blade at its upper part, a handle having a forked end portion secured between said U- shaped parts, said parts having their edges roo extending toward each other and substantially embracing the forked portion of the handle.

2. The combination of a blade,` and a handle secured thereto, the device having a U- shaped connection between the handle portion and the blade providing a central aperture at the top of the blade, the blade having a projecting portion on one side at the middle portion of itsupper edge.

3. In an implement of the kind set forth,

IIO

the combination of a blade, a pair of U- sha ed partsv secured oneon ea'ohfside offtll bla e on its upper part, and a handle Whose shank has an mtegral forked extremity secured between said U-shaped parts.

4. In an implement of the character described, the combination of a blade member having a looped extension at its upper portion and a handle member Whose shank has an integral forked extension at its lower end that is secured to the looped portion of the blade member.

Vthe'"561i' i'binlapion of a blade member provided with looped portions .at its upper part, one

extending from the front and one from the t5 LUrs ARNAVAT.

Witnesses O. J. BROWN,

5. In an implement of the kind set forth,

JOS GoYAN'Es. 

